Investor

The Internet has become an inexpensive and easy way for individuals and businesses to raise money for their activities. Congress recently passed the JOBS Act, which directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to create rules exempting crowdfunding from the securities registration laws. Once implemented, these rules will remove restrictions on start-up companies seeking investors over the Internet. Investors should be on the lookout for unscrupulous issuers and intermediaries who may attempt to engage in crowdfunding before the rules are written or misuse crowdfunding to steal from investors through false and misleading representations.

What is Crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is an online money-raising strategy that began as a way for the public to donate small amounts of money, often through social networking websites, to help artists, musicians, filmmakers and other creative people finance their projects. The concept has recently been promoted as a way of assisting small businesses and startups looking for investment capital to help get their business ventures off the ground. Traditionally, investment opportunities are offered by professionals, such as brokerdealer firms and investment advisers, who must recommend investments that are based on their clients’ investment objectives and levels of sophistication. Through crowdfunding, individuals are able to invest in entrepreneurial start-ups through an intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or a “funding portal.” By law, “funding portals” are not allowed to provide investment advice.

What is a funding portal?
A funding portal is a website, also called a “platform,” that advertises the investment opportunities and facilitates the payment from the investor to the issuer. Some portals advertise a variety of investment opportunities on one website, allowing the investor to select one or more projects in which to invest.

How Crowdfunding Works
Joe’s small business sells goat cheese made from his special pygmy goats. To keep his business afloat or to help it grow, Joe can turn to the Internet to seek online donations from the public who contribute small amounts of money and expect nothing in return. Joe usually sends a sample of his cheese as a thank you for the donation; large donors might even get a cheese named in their honor.
New legislation has directed the SEC to write rules that will change how Joe can raise money online. Once the rules are written, Joe will be able to use the Internet to raise up to $1 million each year by selling investments in his company to thousands of investors. Because Joe will be issuing shares in his company in exchange for investment capital, his supporters are no longer donors; they become investors and will expect a financial return for their investment.

Why Investors Must be Extremely Cautious About Crowdfunding Investments

All investments have risk, but small business investments have even greater risk than normal. About 50 percent of all small businesses fail within the first five years.

Issuers using funding portals to raise money may be inexperienced. Their track records may be unproven, unsubstantiated or outright fraudulent.

The information about the investment is limited to what is provided through the funding portal. Investors may need to rely on their own research to determine the issuer’s track record.

Because state regulators are not allowed to review crowdfunding issuers or their offerings, full and complete disclosure may not be available to investors.

Investors may have limited legal ability to take action against the issuer should the investment not perform as represented. Due to limited regulatory oversight over these offerings, investors may be left on their own to pursue costly private lawsuits when things go wrong.

Crowdfunding investments are mostly illiquid and investors must be prepared to hold their investments indefinitely. It also may be difficult or impossible to resell these securities due to the lack of a secondary market.

Funding portals must be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), belong to a self-regulating organization (SRO), and comply with other rules the SEC may issue.

Crowdfunding portals claiming an accreditation or “seal of approval” from a standards program or board may not be legitimate.

The Bottom Line
It pays to be skeptical of investment opportunities you learn about through the Internet. When you see an offering on the Internet – whether it is on a funding portal, in an online newsletter, on a message board or in a chat room – you should be cautious until you have done your homework and proven that it isn’t a scam.

If you have any questions about crowdfunding offerings, contact the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation at 802-828-3420 or online at www.dfr.vermont.gov.
This Informed Investor Advisory is brought to you by the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation, a member of the North American Securities Administrators Association. For more investor alerts and advisories, visit the NASAA website at www.nasaa.org.

To learn more or for help with these or other investment products, contact:
VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL REGULATION
89 Main Street, Second Floor | Montpelier, VT 05620-3101
802-828-3240 | www.dfr.vermont.gov

Introduction

you have questions about how laws governing securities protect consumers.

you need help with a complaint or a problem concerning a securities investment or someone who sold you a securities product.

This is not a guide to investing in the stock market, a source of specific investment recommendations, or a guide intended to convey all of your legal rights. You should not use this guide as a substitute for private legal counsel or private rights of action. This guide simply provides an informed, “regulator’s eye view” of investing. The better informed you are, the less likely your chance of becoming a victim of investment fraud and abuse.

You don’t have to become an investment expert to guard against many common dangers. Taking a few simple precautions can help you avoid costly mistakes.

What the Vermont Securities Division Does for Consumers

Federal and state securities laws strive to promote investor protection by regulating the offer and sale of securities. The Vermont Securities Divi­sion, housed in the Department of Financial Regulation, regulates the offer and sale of securities in Vermont.

The Division’s major responsibilities are to:

enforce the Vermont Uniform Securities Act.

register securities offerings.

register broker-dealers and investment adviser firms and their agents/representatives.

conduct on-site audits of brokerage and investment advisory firms.

investigate consumer complaints.

educate consumers and offer assistance.

encourage and foster the legitimate growth of our capital markets.

The Vermont Securities Division handles many inquiries and complaints from victims of investment fraud and investment abuse each year.

Our staff members are available from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Our Address:

Vermont Securities Division89 Main Street (the City Center Building, located at the corner of State and Main Streets)Montpelier, VT 05620-3101

What Exactly Are Securities?

a person invests something of value in a common enterprise that is managed by someone other than the investor.

the investor expects a return in the form of interest, dividends, increased capital, etc.

Common examples of securities include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, money market funds, limited partnership interests, trust certificates, promissory notes, investment contracts, viatical or life settlements, and oil and gas leases. Courts have extended the definition of securities to also cover various investments such as citrus groves, cattle partnerships, carpet cleaning businesses, pay phones, ATM machines, Internet kiosks and other kinds of deals that permit people to invest money in a business they don’t manage themselves.

Few securities come with any guarantees but some types, such as those issued by the United States Government, are traditionally safer than others.

Understand the risks, as well as what is insured vs. what is not.

Securities always involve some degree of risk. You can lose some, or all, of your principal (the original amount of money you invest) and any profits you may have earned.

Bank Deposits vs. Securities

A deposit is money you put in a bank, in a checking or savings account, or in a type of bank deposit known as a certificate of deposit (CD). When you ask the bank for your money on deposit, they must pay you. If the bank cannot pay you for any reason, your money on deposit in a government-regulated bank is generally insured through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to certain limits.

Please visit the FDIC’s website at www.fdic.gov to find out what those current limits are and to learn more about how the program works.

Some banks now sell mutual funds and other investment products that are securities and are not insured. Mutual funds and other securities products are not deposits. These products are NOT backed by any bank and are NOT insured by the U.S. Government. This is true even when a security is purchased at a bank and carries the bank’s name.

Deposits and investments can have similar names. A “money market fund” sounds similar to a “money market deposit account” but there is a critical difference:

A “money market fund” is a type of mutual fund investment. It is NOT insured or otherwise guaranteed, and the seller must provide you with a prospectus detailing the investment.

A “money market deposit account” is a bank deposit that is insured by the US Government through the FDIC.

Making Safer Investment Choices

It’s your money, insist on answers. Many investors think showing any ignorance is a weakness leading others to take advantage, but never be afraid to ask questions. You are far less likely to be taken advantage of if you show persistence in learning about something you don’t understand, so speak up when you don’t understand something. Ask questions. Write down the answers. Take notes. A reputable investment professional will welcome your inquiries and want to make sure you fully understand your investment options.

Ask questions! Report problems! Check the records!

Determine Your Needs

A good investment is one that matches the following:

Your budget. Don’t invest money you must count on for basic living expenses.

Your defined investment goals. Have a plan. Keep in mind the time you have to reach your goals, or how long you can manage financially without access to the principal. Don’t be swayed by impulse buys or aggressive sales tactics. Stay the course!

How much risk you can afford. Remember that a higher yield tends to come with a greater chance of loss.

Your experience at investing.

When in doubt, seek expert advice.

Questions to Ask About the Person Selling an Investment

Are you registered with the Vermont Securities Division? Have you ever been disciplined by a regulator or other organization? (You can confirm this information with the Securities Division.)

Have you ever been the subject of any complaints, arbitrations or lawsuits?

What training and experience do you have? How long have you been in the business?

How do you get paid? By commission? According to the amount of assets under your management? By another method? Which method would be most beneficial to me given my circumstances?

Do I have a choice of how to pay you? Will I pay you by the transaction or is there a flat fee regardless of how many transactions I have?

Questions to Ask About Investment Products

Is this investment product registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Vermont Securities Division?

How will this investment make money? Specifically, what must happen for this investment to increase in value?

What are the total fees and commissions to purchase, maintain and sell this investment? After all fees are paid, how much does this investment have to increase in value before I break even?

How liquid is this investment? How easy would it be to sell if I needed my money right away? Would I be subjected to any additional fees or expenses if I sold this investment?

What are the specific risks associated with this investment? What is the maximum I could lose?

How long has the company been in business? Is the company’s management experienced? Has the management been successful in earning money for investors in the past?

Can I get the latest reports filed by the company with the SEC, a prospectus or offering circular, or the latest annual report and financial statements? (These reports can usually be found on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or contact the Securities Division and we can help you.)

Questions To Ask About Mutual Funds

What specific risks are associated with this fund?

What types of securities does the fund hold? How often does the portfolio change? (For example, does the fund focus on the medical sector, hospitality sector, socially responsible investing, etc.?) What are the risks associated with this fund? What are the performance goals?

If your broker changes firms, ask why.

Does the mutual fund invest in any type of securities that traditionally have a high level of volatility that would cause the value to go up or down rapidly in a short period of time?

How much will the fund charge me when I buy the shares? Will the fund charge me when I sell the shares? What other ongoing fees are charged?

How does the fund perform compared to other funds of the same type or to an index of the same type of investment? How has this fund performed over both the short term and the long run?

Where can I get an independent evaluation of this fund?

Questions To Ask Yourself About The Progress Of Your Investments

How frequently am I getting account statements? (You should receive a statement from your broker-dealer each month that there has been a transaction in your account. A statement should be sent at least once every three months when there have been no transactions.)

Did I expressly authorize each transaction that appears on my account statement?

Are the commission and fees in line with my expectations?

Is the return on my investment meeting my expectations or goals? Is this investment performing as I was led to believe?

The vast majority of investment professionals are never accused of dishonest or unethical conduct. Still, there are some registered broker-dealers and investment advisers who engage in unlawful activity. Always be alert – both for investor abuses and outright fraud.

Abusive Practices Watch List

Unsuitable investments. Agents must follow what is known as the “know your customer” rule, requiring them to recommend only those types of investments that match your financial goals and the amount of risk advisable for you to take.

Unauthorized trading. Your broker is required by law to get your permission PRIOR to trading in your account, unless you give your broker written permission to make trades without your consent. Very few firms allow their agents to accept this kind of authority, known as “discretionary authority.” Trades made without your permission are unauthorized, illegal and should not be tolerated.

Misrepresentations and omissions of material facts. Say that your broker tells you that investing in a new issue of stock is “as safe as a CD.” This is a misrepresentation. Your broker is obligated to be truthful in presenting investment opportunities to you and must provide you with any information that might influence your decision to invest.

Churning. Most agents earn commissions when they buy and sell investments on behalf of their clients. Excessive trading of a customer’s account by an agent in order to increase commissions is known as “churning.”

Theft of Funds. One of the most devastating situations an investor can encounter is the actual theft of their funds. Know where your account statements come from and be sure the firm is mailing the statements to you. If you receive statements directly from your agent, something is likely wrong. Contact the broker-dealer’s home office immediately. It also doesn’t hurt to periodically call your broker-dealer’s customer service number and ask to confirm your account holdings, balance and account activity.

Life Happens

Nearing retirement, having a child go to college, or the passing of a spouse or loved one are all life changes that can have a major impact on your investment needs and decisions. If you experience a life change, contact your broker or investment adviser to ensure your investments are still suitable to your new situation.

General Ways To Protect Yourself

Keep notes of your communications with your investment professional. Notes can be very useful if there is ever a dispute about what was said during a transaction. Whenever possible, put instructions to your broker in writing. If you give your broker instructions by phone or in person, follow up that conversation with written instructions and be sure to keep a copy.

Read and keep your account and confirmation statements. Read statements as soon as you receive them to make sure you gave your permission for each transaction. Check the section of your statement that reflects any charges debited from your account.

Read and keep all letters from your brokerage firm. When broker-dealers detect unusual or possibly troublesome activity in an account, they will often send out what are known as “client comfort letters.” Such letters ask if you have any concerns about your account and may indicate that certain circumstances led the firm to write to you. Write to the firm asking for clarification as to why they sent you the letter. If they remain unclear, contact the Securities Division.

What to do if you suspect a problem?

If you think there may be a problem with the way your investments have been handled, take the following steps to resolve the problem. Act promptly and remember that you can call the Securities Division at any point in the process!

Agent: Talk to your agent and explain the problem. Where is the fault? Were communications clear? Refer to your notes. What did this person tell you? What do your notes say?

Supervisor: If you can’t resolve the problem with your agent, put your complaint in writing and send it to your agent’s supervisor. Keep a copy to document your efforts to resolve the matter. Be sure to keep copies of any responses you receive.

Compliance: If the problem is still not resolved, write to the Compliance Department at the broker-dealer’s main office. Explain your problem in detail and how you want it resolved. Ask the compliance officer to respond to you within 30 days.

Securities Division: If you are still not satisfied, send a copy of your letter along with a completed complaint form (available on the Securities Division’s website or by mail) to the Securities Division.

Each year, Vermonters lose millions of dollars to investment fraud. Fraud artists prey on people of all ages, occupations and levels of sophistication. They come across as smooth, professional and successful. Their sales pitches are often very convincing and well rehearsed, and they operate in many different ways.

Popular Scams And Schemes

Ponzi Schemes

Long before Bernie Madoff, there was a swindler named Charles Ponzi. In the early 1900s, Ponzi took investors for $10 million by promising 40 percent returns. The premise is simple: promise high returns to investors and use money from new investors to pay previous investors, which is why Ponzi schemes remain a perennial favorite among con artists. Inevitably, the schemes collapse and the only people who consistently make money are the promoters who set the Ponzi in motion.

These short-term debt instruments are often sold by unwitting, independent insurance agents and issued by little known, or non-existent, companies promising high returns (sometimes as high as 15 percent monthly) with little or no risk. When interest rates are low, investors often are lured by the higher “fixed returns” promissory notes offer. These notes become vehicles for fraud when the issuer of the note has no intention or capability of delivering the returns promised by the sales person.

Unscrupulous Agents

Whether it’s through the sale of unsuitable securities, unregistered investments, unauthorized transactions, high-pressure sales tactics, misrepresentations or omissions of material facts, there are some registered agents who don’t want to play by the rules. This behavior is never acceptable, and investors need to be ever vigilant for these and other suspicious activities.

Affinity Fraud

Con artists know that its only human nature to trust people who are like yourself. Just because you are acquainted with someone shouldn’t stop you from making inquiries before you invest. You could be the victim of fraud by a golfing buddy, your kid’s coach or the new entrepreneur in town who just joined your local business, religious or civic organization.

Unlicensed Securities Sellers

Unlicensed individuals have long been targeted as a sales force by financial predators. They are lured into this activity by high commissions from the sale of fraudulent or high-risk investments, such as promissory notes, ATM and payphone investment contracts, and viatical settlement contracts. The con artist running the scam instructs the independent sales force to promise high returns with little or no risk.

Prime Bank Schemes

Another perennial favorite of con artists is the promise of triple-digit returns through access to the investment portfolios of the world’s elite banks. Negative publicity attached to these schemes has caused promoters in recent cases to avoid explicitly referring to prime banks. Now it is common to refer to these schemes as “risk free guaranteed high yield instruments” or something equally deceptive. Remember, nothing is “risk free”. Generally, the higher the yield, the higher the risk!

Defend Yourself Against Fraud

Internet Fraud

With the Internet now a common part of daily life for an ever-increasing number of people, it should be no surprise that con artists have made cyberspace a prime hunting ground for victims. Internet fraud has become a booming business. Many online scams that regulators see today are merely new versions of schemes that have been fleecing investors for years. Investors should ignore e-mail offers from anyone claiming to be in need of help depositing large sums of money into bank accounts, regardless of whether they are overseas or domestic.

Product Abuses

There are numerous abuses that can occur with specific products. For example, Mutual Fund abuses can occur when some investors move large amounts of money in and out of different funds in order to take advantage of pricing discrepancies based upon the performance of overseas markets. When the Fund fails to detect and prevent this type of activity, the rest of the Fund shareholders are harmed by a decrease in the value of their shares. A vastly different type of abuse can occur with annuity products, but they generally occur at the point of sale and are often the result of an agent omitting material facts about the product, such as high surrender charges, the market volatility of sub-accounts, liquidity issues and high internal fees.

If your gut tells you that something isn’t right, don’t ignore it! Call the Securities Division and talk to us about your concerns.

High Pressure Sales Be very skeptical if someone uses statements or makes claims like these:

“Be sure to give me your answer quickly because I have a waiting list of others who want to invest in this offer and I have only a few spots left.”

“If you don’t give me a check right away, it will be too late to get in on this.”

“This is inside information, so you have to hurry.”

“This investment is a safe as a CD (Certificate of Deposit).”

“Mr. So-and-So just got on board with this, and you know he’s a smart fellow.”

The Promise Of Incredibly High Profits Look with doubt on promises that you can double your money or earn a fantastically high rate of return in a short period of time.

Claims Of No-Risk Or Minimal Risk Investments Be on guard if you are being promised that an investment is both risk free and also going to yield you quick or very high profits. This is a sure sign of investment fraud.

Canadian Or Overseas Addresses/Money Transmitters To evade capture and prosecution by officials in the United States, many fraudsters will insist that you send your investment to them at an address outside of the United States or transmit the funds to them via money transmitting services that you often see at your local grocery store. If someone tries to convince you to do either of these things, you should hang up the phone and walk away. Not only is this likely a fraudulent investment, if you do send your money, the odds of ever recovering a dime of your money goes to almost ZERO.,/ol>

Filing a Complaint with the Securities Division

If you believe you are the victim of abusive practices or fraud, we encourage you to file a complaint with the Securities Division. You may feel embarrassed that someone took advantage of you or you may be unsure of everything that happened, but don’t let that stop you from contacting us. Seeking help is a smart move, and you should congratulate yourself for your initiative. By alerting regulators to suspicious activity you’ve experienced, you may help others in the same situation. The State may be able to intervene and halt further scams and abuses.

What To Expect From The Complaint Process

Analysis - An examiner will review your complaint and decide whether to refer it to an enforcement attorney for review. This may take up to 30 days. Staff may decide to interview you and other witnesses. This may take an additional few weeks. Staff may also ask the investment professional or firm to furnish certain documents, look into what allegedly happened and report back to the Securities Division in writing. This may take an additional four to six weeks.

Enforcement - In cases of wrongdoing, the Division may decide to exercise its administrative or civil enforcement powers, such as moving to impose a fine or revoke a license to do business. In cases involving criminal activity, the Division may refer the complaint to another enforcement agency. The Division must determine that a violation of the Vermont Uniform Securities Act occurred in order to take action. Remember that investing inherently involves risk. If you have suffered a loss, the Division cannot usually help unless someone involved in the transaction has violated the law.

Settlement - The Division’s inquiry into a complaint may foster a mutually acceptable agreement between the investor and the subject of the dispute. If the situation warrants, the Division has the legal authority to seek restitution or recovery of funds lost due to unlawful activity. While the Division will do all it can to help, there is no guarantee that you will receive restitution or recovery of your losses.

Legal Representation - The Division cannot act as your attorney, nor should you view the actions taken by the Securities Division as a substitute for acting privately. Federal and state securities laws provide legal remedies if you have suffered a wrongdoing. To take advantage of these laws, you must initiate legal action or arbitration within the prescribed time periods (statues of limitations) or you may lose your right to recover funds. For more information, contact a lawyer who has experience in the area of securities law. The Vermont Bar Association can help with referrals. Visit their website at www.vtbar.org or call them at 802-223- 2020 for more information.

Remember: Securities matters are often complex and can require extensive research and resources to resolve. Complaints vary widely in the time it takes to fully analyze them. The average time is three to four months, but some complaints may take much longer to resolve.

The Investor Information section of our website contains additional information, tools, and resources to help you become an informed investor and make investment decisions that are the best fit for you.

If you think that you have been the target of an investment scam, or if you have been approached with an investment opportunity that you suspect could be a scam, do not hesitate to contact the Securities Division toll free at 1-877-550-3907.

Opening an Account

Be honest when filling out a new account form. Your broker or representative cannot recommend investments to you unless he or she understands your complete financial picture and the level of risk you are willing to accept.

Do not sign the form until it is completed, the information is accurate and you understand and are willing to accept the terms and conditions it imposes upon you. Take your time. Ask questions and read the fine print.

Take a copy of your new account form when you leave. It is the basis for determining what is a suitable or appropriate investment for you.

Discretionary Authority

You will have to make a very important decision at this point, such as who will make the investment decisions for your account. Ordinarily, you will make your own decisions, unless you give your broker discretionary authority to make those decisions for you.

Discretionary authority allows your broker to make investment decisions, without consulting you about the price and or type of security and when to buy and sell, based on his or her determination of what will best meet your investment objectives.

If you decide to give your broker discretionary authority for your account, you should do so in writing. If you give discretionary authority, it is even more important to review and understand your monthly statements, so that you know what you have purchased and how frequently those investments are being made.

Levels of Risk

Your new account form will require you to specify the level of risk you are willing to take in order to achieve your overall financial objective. It is important that you understand the categories used. Ask your broker to explain each category, ask questions and make certain that you completely understand the amount of risk involved in each category.

As a basic rule: The higher the expected rate of return, the greater the risk. Risk means that you could lose some or all of your investment. If you are a risk taker, be sure that your broker understands that fact, so he or she can help you select investments right for you.

Rules of thumb:

Never make your investment check payable to the sales representative

Don't make an investment decision on a product or a brokerage firm based solely on a telephone solicitation or sales promotion.

Do not file or throw away your account statements or transaction confirmations without first reading them thoroughly and verifying them for accuracy.

Do not invest based on "inside information", "a stunning new development" or "a dynamic new product" without investigating for yourself.

Stick with your common sense. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you are promised spectacular returns, such as "your money will double in a year or less", be skeptical and ask questions.

If you think there is a problem with your account or brokerage firm, don't wait. Call your brokerage firm, the Vermont Securities Division,(802)828-3420 or FINRA, to report the problem immediately.

Useful Links:

Explanations of Common Investment Professional Designations

Certified Financial Planner, CFP:

The use of this designation indicates an individual dedicated to the idea of financial planning. This designation is awarded after a rigorous 2 to 3 year program and a comprehensive final examination. To check on an individual’s status and disciplinary history with the CFP Board of Standards go to: http://www.cfp-board.org/

Chartered Financial Consultant, ChFC:

This is another designation use by individuals practicing financial planning. In order to check an individual’s ChFC status call the American College at (888) 263-7265.

Personal Financial Specialist, PFS:

The PFS designation is awarded only to Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) who practice financial planning. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants awards this designation. To verify someone's standing as a PFS, call 1-888-777-7077.

Chartered Financial Analyst, CFA:

The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts awards this designation to individuals who have completed an extremely comprehensive study of technical securities analysis. The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts is extremely guarded in regard to inquiries about their members. In order to check on an individual’s status please inform them that you intend to contact the Institute and ask for identifying information to ease the process. The Institute’s telephone number is (800) 247-8132.

Both legitimate brokers and con artists offer many investment opportunities. A legitimate investment can offer excellent returns, while a deal with a con artist is guaranteed to result in financial loss. Con artists typically use the following techniques:

Promises of a rate of return better than similar investments are paying.

Guarantee that the investment will not fail

Insistance that the opportunity to invest exists today only--tomorrow will be too late.

Promise to send someone to your home to pick up the funds today.

No investment is risk free and certain risks cannot be avoided. However, investors often can protect themselves against unnecessary risks by learning about investments and investing.

Scams are sold in many ways. The methods and promotions listed below represent some fof the most risky investment ventures; moreover, they are often illegal.

Boiler Rooms

These common unreliable operations display impressive sounding addresses and use high pressure salespeople to make thousands of unsolicited telephone calls to potential investors. The term "boiler room" refers to the "heat" and high pressure generated by the callers, as they try to convince investors to send in their money. In most cases, either the company or the product does not exist, or does not operate as represented. If you receive an unsolicited call offering a deal that sounds too good to be true, be careful. It probably is not true, and you are probably talking to a con artist.

Ponzi Schemes

In a Ponzi scheme, con artists offer high rates of return on various impressive sounding investments. However, instead of using the funds for investments, a portion of the original money is paid back to investors as their return. Satisfied investors report these high returns to their friends, who in turn invest. In reality, there is no underlying business; the early investors are simply being paid with funds received from later investors. When the scheme collapses, as it always does, current investors lose their money and the promoters often walk away rich.

Pyramid Schemes

A typical pyramid scheme involves a few individuals at the top who recruit people to invest in their organization, tempting them with the promise of large sums of money if they bring in others. As more recruits invest, they too are expected to recruit others. Pyramid schemes focus on recruitment and the exchange of money; usually, there is no legitimate product being sold.

Drilling for Riches

Oil and gas well interests are another common investment scam. By acquiring interests in a "proven" oil field or "surefire" wildcat well, investors are promised great riches. Often, however, the wells do not exist or hold no further reserves. Watch out for deals on "ore-bearing" dirt that promise fantastic mineral reserves and profits. These deals may be illegal. Claims of a "secret" or "new" formula for removing valuable minerals from old mines signal a scam.

Coins and precious metals schemes

These schemes attempt to sell "investment grade" coins or gold, silver, and platinum bars and bullion. Con artists claim that the value of the coins or metals will increase dramatically in the future. However, if you send money, no coins or metals are shipped to you. Instead, you are told the coins and metals have been deposited in a vault or bank with an impressive name. Even if they have been deposited, their value is usually much less than was represented to you. The high commissions charged by the seller would require a great increase in the value of the coins or metals before you could break even. Worse yet, the coins or bullion may not even exist; the promoter may simply pocket your money.

Mortgages and trust deeds

This type of transaction involves loaning money to someone who wishes to purchase or refinance real estate. The investor counts on receiving interest payments as the return on the investment, and expects to receive the title to the property if the borrower defaults. More often than not, the borrower is unable to repay the loan. The investor may discover that the property's value does not cover the investment or that the deed was not recorded in the investor's name.

Exotic Investments

Investors are frequently approached to buy investments that are tied to recent technological developments or scientific breakthroughs. While such investments can be legitimate, often these opportunities are scams dressed in high-tech language. These schemes are designed to take advantage of investors' familiarity with news events.

The goal of the Division's Investor Education Program is to promote financial literacy for Vermonters of all ages. If you need further information or would like to host an investor education workshop or seminar for your civic group or classroom, please contact program coordinator Bill Carrigan at 802-828-4858 (toll-free: 877-550-3907), or e-mail: william.carrigan@vermont.gov

Our Investing Basics area is designed to provide you with educational material, resources and tools to help you become an informed investor. Please visit NASAA and FINRA to understand your investor rights, information and tools to aide you before you invest, what you should know after you make an investment, and how to detect and avoid risky investments.

There are more than a thousand brokerage firms available to sell you securities. Some may have offices in Vermont, while others may conduct their business from outside the state via mail, telephone or by computer. No matter where they are located, Vermont law requires all firms and their salespersons to be registered with the Vermont Securities Division.

Salespersons are often called “brokers”, “sales agent”, “account executive”; “financial consultant”; “registered representative”; or “financial consultant”. No matter the title, the registration requirements are the same.

The links listed below will provide you with valuable information so that you can become an informed investor.